Pluggable drive carrier assembly

ABSTRACT

A computer system with a pluggable drive carrier assembly comprises a cabinet and a circuit board disposed within the cabinet. The circuit board, such as a base board, has a number of connectors attached to a first surface. A drive unit such as a hard disk drive is secured within a carrier. A logic connector and a power connector are adapted to attach to the drive. A flexible circuit assembly connects the logic connector and the power connector to a blind plug. The blind plug is adapted to mate with any of the number of connectors. A cam surface and lever arrangement is used to urge into engagement the blind plug and the selected one of the number of connectors. The logic connector and the power connector both have a number of contacts that extend in a direction generally parallel to the first surface of the circuit board such that a backplane is not required and can be eliminated.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/224,665,filed Aug. 11, 2000, is hereby claimed. In addition, the disclosure ofthat application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to peripheral computingdevices such as disk drives, and more particularly to pluggable drivecarrier assemblies.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Modern computers often include one or more peripheral devicessuch as hard-disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD drives. These devicestypically include motors and mechanisms for spinning the storage mediaand for moving read heads or read/write heads, and also includecircuitry for controlling mechanical movement as well as the transfer ofdata. As the cost of nonvolatile, solid state memories decreases, it isalso becoming feasible to use solid state drives that have no movingparts. These solid state drives may use the same form factors andstorage protocols as conventional drives to facilitate substitution.

[0006] For many applications, it is desirable to be able to insert orremove a drive while the computer system is operating. For example,computer networks commonly include servers that include arrays ofhot-pluggable disk drives. These disk arrays are typically configuredaccording to a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) configurationin which a malfunctioning drive can be replaced without bringing thedisk array off-line, and without causing any loss of data.

[0007] In RAID and other disk array subsystems, the drives are commonlymounted on separate trays or carriers and inserted side-by-side into acavity defined within a computer housing or cabinet. An internal sheetmetal chassis of the computer defines or receives guides for aligningconnectors on the drives with mating connectors on a rigid backplane. Insuch systems, the backplane defines an inner wall of the cavity andprovides electrical interconnections to and from the mating connectors.Holes often are provided through the backplane to accommodate a coolingairflow through the cavity. In some arrangements the backplane ispassive (i.e., does not provide electrical connections) while in otherarrangements the backplane contains electrical connectors or componentsfor communicating with the disk drives.

[0008] Typically, a computer system having a RAID-type subsystem has aso-called tower configuration wherein the computer system is taller thanit is wide, as opposed to a desktop configuration wherein the computersystem is wider than it is tall. The individual drives are typicallymounted in the computer system such that each drive can be extracted andinserted through the front of the computer system cabinet. In order toaccommodate this feature, the backplane for the RAID-type subsystem ismounted with the backplane perpendicular to the sidewalls of thecomputer system. The sides of the cabinet, the front of the cabinet andthe backplane together define a drive cage.

[0009] The traditional construction, however, is complex and bulky. Thebackplane is connected to further circuit boards and controllers throughcabling. In addition, the perpendicular backplane occupies additionalspace relative to the further circuit boards and controllers. Moreover,due to the fixed nature of the backplane relative to the cabinet and thefixed nature of the storage units relative to the cabinet, the propermating of the backplane and the storage units requires rather precisepositioning of the two relative to one another. This proper mating isfurther complicated by the lack of conformity from storage unit type tostorage unit type that result in differing connectors and connectorlocations.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0010] One aspect of the present invention involves a pluggable drivecarrier for drives. The carrier comprises a flex circuit withsingle-sided mounting of a plurality of connectors. The plurality ofconnectors comprises a blind connector and a second connector. The blindconnector is adapted to couple with a right angle docking connectorattached to a base board. The flex circuit is folded such that saidsecond connector extends in a first direction and said blind connectorextends in a second direction that is opposite of said first direction.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention involves a computersystem comprising a circuit board and a first connector mounted to saidcircuit board. A drive is secured to a carrier and has a drive connectordisposed on a surface. The circuit board extends in a directiongenerally normal to said surface. The carrier comprises a flexiblecircuit and said flexible circuit comprises a mating connector and ablind-plug. The mating connector is adapted to connect to said driveconnector and said blind-plug is adapted to couple to said firstconnector.

[0012] A further aspect of the present invention involves an electronicsystem comprising an enclosure and a base board positioned within saidenclosure. The base board comprises a docking connector that is fixed toa surface of said base board. A drive carrier is adapted for insertioninto said enclosure along a first axis. A drive is disposed within saiddrive carrier and has a connector disposed along a first surface. Thefirst axis extends in a direction generally parallel to said base boardand a flexible circuit extends between said connector of said drive andsaid docking connector of said base board.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention involves a pluggabledrive carrier. The carrier comprises a carrier body adapted to receive adrive and has an outside surface. A blind plug connector is mounted tosaid outside surface and a flexible circuit is connected to said outsidesurface. The flexible circuit is electrically coupled to said blind plugconnector. A second connector is secured to said flexible circuit andsaid second connector is capable of being disposed within said carrierbody.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the present invention involves anelectronic system comprising an enclosure having an opening. Aninsertion passage is defined within said enclosure and has one endterminating at said opening. The insertion passage defines an insertionaxis. A carrier is capable of insertion into said opening along saidinsertion passage. A base board is disposed within said enclosure with aconnector mounted to said base board. A cooperating blind connector isdisposed on said carrier and said baseboard is positioned parallel tosaid insertion axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to the drawings of apreferred embodiment, which embodiment is intended to illustrate and notto limit the invention, and in which figures:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a top-front perspective view of a cabinet with a carrierinstalled, the carrier is configured and arranged in accordance withcertain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top-rear perspective view of the cabinet and carrierof FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a top-rear perspective view of several componentsrelating to the carrier and the carrier mounting arrangement shown in anexploded format to illustrate the separate components;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a top-rear perspective view of several components thatform a docking clamp that is configured and arranged in accordance withcertain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, thecomponents are shown in an exploded format to illustrate the separatecomponents;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a guide pin block, dockingconnector and a carrier illustrating a position of a base board relativeto said carrier and a direction of insertion of the carrier;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a top-front perspective exploded view of the carrierassembly; and

[0022]FIG. 7 is another top-front perspective exploded view of thecarrier assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cabinet 10 for acomputer system is illustrated therein. The cabinet 10 can be any typeof box, frame or enclosure suitable for housing computer components,including storage drives such as hard disk drives, optical drives, tapeback-up drives, and solid state drives. The cabinet 10 has beenillustrated without the aesthetic covers normally associated with suchcabinets. Of course, the cabinet can also comprise such covers. Thecomputer system may, for example, be a network-attached storage serversystem which includes an array of hot pluggable disk drives

[0024] In the illustrated arrangement, the cabinet 10 comprises a bottomwall 12, a first side wall 14, a second side wall 16, a rear wall 18 anda front wall 20. Additionally, the illustrated cabinet 10 comprises anumber of internal walls that define a number of rooms or chamberswithin the cabinet 10. All of these walls in the illustrated arrangementinclude a number of holes, apertures, protrusions, recesses and otherconstructions used to mount, secure, affix, or orient a number ofcomponents that will complete the computer system.

[0025] A base board 22, which functions in some respects similar to abackplane, is placed within the cabinet such that air flows over thelarger upper surface 24 of the base board 22. Preferably, the base board22 is spaced from the bottom wall 12 in any suitable manner. Suchspacing facilitates a cooling airflow A over the larger bottom surfaceof the base board 22 as well. In other words, the base board 22generally comprises a top surface 24 and a bottom surface that arespaced from each other by very small side surfaces and the air flowthrough the cabinet 10 generally is parallel to the top surface 24 andthe bottom surface. Such a cooling airflow A is facilitated by the lackof an enlarged perpendicular back plane that extends across the cabinet10 and that obstructs the airflow through the cabinet 10.

[0026] A number of right angle docking connectors 26 are disposed alongthe base board 22. In one arrangement, eight docking connectors 26 areused. In other arrangements, such as those useful in lower cost systems,less than eight docking connectors 26 can be provided. In yet other,high cost, high performance systems, more than eight docking connectors26 can be provided.

[0027] The width of the illustrated docking connector 26 preferably issized for optimal placement. As will be explained, a carrier 28 docks tothe docking connector 26 in a manner that will also be explained.Accordingly, optimizing placement of the docking connectors 26 takesinto consideration the minimal spacing between adjacent carriers 28 suchthat each carrier 28 can be minimally spaced from the next carrier 28(i.e., minimal pitch). In one arrangement, the connector has a width ofapproximately 30 mm. Of course, the width can be varied depending uponthe application or the components being connected.

[0028] The docking connectors 26 generally comprise a number of contacts(i.e., 60 in some applications). Preferably, there are sufficientcontacts to provide a signal conductor, a signal-ground conductor, apower conductor, and a power-ground conductor. These contact andconductor combinations can be used to establish an electricalcommunication between the base board 22 and a particular type ofperipheral device, such as a hard drive. The drive may, for example, bean ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) or a SCSI (Small Computer SystemInterface) drive.

[0029] In addition, one aspect of the present invention results from theunique construction of the docking connectors 26. More particularly, thedocking connectors have an input end that extends in a direction that isnot parallel, or otherwise collinear with the output end. In theillustrated arrangement, for instance, the input end (i.e., the open endprior to connection with a drive) extends in a direction that isgenerally 90 degrees from the output end (i.e., the end mating with thebase board 22). This arrangement facilitates connection of severaldrives to the base board 22 without the use of a backplane that extendsgenerally normal to the illustrated base board 22 and that spans thewidth and height of the cabinet 10. It is anticipated that the dockingconnectors 26 can turn the leads from the input end to the output endvarying amounts; however, the generally right angle bend shown in theillustrated arrangement advantageously results in improved matingbetween the docking connector 26 and a flexible circuit assembly 30 andin improved airflow patterns through the cabinet 10.

[0030] A guide pin block 32 is used to secure each docking connector 26of the illustrated arrangement to a desired location on the base board22. The guide pin block 32 preferably is injection molded of a suitableplastic. The guide pin block 32 desirably is sized and configured toreceive the docking connector 26 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. In theillustrated arrangement, the guide pin block 32 includes a recess (notshown) that substantially encases and captures the docking connector 26.

[0031] The illustrated guide pin block 32 also includes holes (notshown) that receive threaded fasteners (also not shown). In addition,the base board 22 preferably includes complementary holes 34 to receivethe same threaded fasteners (not shown). The threaded fasteners (notshown) secure the guide pin block 32 and the entrapped docking connector26 along an edge of the top surface 24 of the base board 22. Eachdocking connector 26, thus, can be secured to the base board 22. Ofcourse, other mounting arrangements, such as clips, clamps, pins, rings,or the like also can be used.

[0032] The illustrated guide pin block 32 contains at least one, butpreferably more than one, alignment mechanism 36. The alignmentmechanism 36 cooperates between the guide pin block 32 and the flexiblecircuit assembly 30. In the illustrated arrangement, the alignmentmechanism 36 comprises a pair of tapered dowel pins 36. The dowel pins36 are tapered for a reason that will become apparent. The dowel pins 36preferably are press fit into at least one of the guide pin block 32 andthe flexible circuit assembly 30. In the illustrated arrangement, thedowel pins 36 are press fit into holes 38 formed the guide pin block 32.As will be explained, the dowel pins 36 are adapted to be receivedwithin a pair of holes 40 in the flexible circuit assembly 30.

[0033] While the dowel pins 36 preferably are tapered or stepped, it isanticipated that straight pins and stepped or tapered holes can be used.The tapering or stepping of at least one of the dowel pins and the holesallows the two components, the flexible circuit assembly 30 and theguide pin block 32, to be slightly misaligned before coupling and thenfacilitates alignment of the two components 30, 32 as the pins 36 movedeeper within the holes 40. Of course, it is also contemplated that theholes can be disposed within conical shaped bosses 42 formed within acomponent of the flexible circuit assembly 30.

[0034] The flexible circuit assembly 30 generally comprises a verticaldocking connector 44, an industry standard matching hard drive powerconnector 46 and an industry standard matching hard drive signalconnector 48. At this point, it bears mentioning that up and down, rightand left, and other directional identifiers are relative to theillustrated drawing but have little significance in the orientation ofthe assembled product. In addition, while the docking connector 44 isdescribed as a vertical docking connector, it should be apparent fromthe figures that the illustrated arrangement is shown horizontal. Fromthis information, it should be understood that, as indicated above, theillustrated construction of the preferred arrangement is a tower havingthe drives disposed in carriers 28 that extend generally horizontal wheninstalled. It is anticipated, however, that the same construction can beused for drives that are disposed in carriers 28 that extend generallyvertical when installed.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 4, the flexible circuit assembly alsocomprises a dock clamp 50. The dock clamp 50 comprises a front 52 and aback 54 in the illustrated arrangement. The two components 52, 54preferably are injection molded parts that snap over the verticaldocking connector 44 on the flexible circuit assembly 30. The back 54desirably is sized and configured to closely correspond to the verticaldocking connector 44 and can include the conical shaped bosses 42described above. In other words, the back 54 preferably includes anaperture 56 that is sized and configured to receive the dockingconnector 44 such that the docking connector 44 can be secured againstsubstantial movement relative to the dock clamp 50 after the dock clamp50 has been assembled.

[0036] The back 54 also preferably includes a channel 58 thataccommodates a flat cable 60 or portion of the flexible circuit. Thecable 60 can be a PC board or can be a flexible plastic component thatprovides electrical communication between the connectors (input andoutput) 44, 46, 48. The cable 60 desirably is captured within thechannel 58 between the back 54 and the front 52 of the dock clamp 50.Accordingly, the front 52 is sized and configured to closely associatewith the back 54 in the illustrated arrangement. The illustratedarrangement advantageously results in added strain relief for theflexible cable 60. Preferably, the connectors all are assembled to thecable 60 on the same side as illustrated in FIG. 4. This same-sideassembly reduces assembly costs. As illustrated, once the cable isinstalled in the carrier assembly 28, the cable can be bent or otherwisemanipulated such that the connectors face in appropriate directions. Forinstance, the connector that attaches to the docking connector extendsin a first direction and the other connectors extend in the oppositedirection in the illustrated arrangement. In addition, the flexiblecable 60 allows systems arranged and configured in accordance withcertain aspects of the present invention to be connected to hardwarecomponents 84 that have differing connector locations.

[0037] The front 52 of the dock clamp 50 preferably comprises a mountingstructure 62. In the illustrated arrangement, the mounting structure 62comprises a pair of mounting bosses 62. The mounting bosses 62 canaccommodate fasteners 64 that are used to attach the dock clamp 50 to acarrier 28. In the illustrated arrangement, the mounting structure 62reinforces the dock clamp 50 proximate the location that receives thefasteners 64. As illustrated, the preferred mounting structure 62 usestwo screws 64 and two plastic shoulder washers 66 that are screwedthrough a set of corresponding holes 68 formed in the carrier 28 intothe front 52 of the dock clamp 50.

[0038] This mounting arrangement advantageously allows the flexiblecircuit assembly 30 to float relative to the carrier 28, which will bedescribed in more detail below. Accordingly, as described above, thefloating action in combination with the tapered pins 36 and holes 40facilitates mating alignment even if the components 30, 32 are slightlymisaligned due to manufacturing tolerance stack-ups or relaxed levels ofmanufacturing tolerance allowances. In most applications, the tolerancecapacity of the connectors is approximately +/−1 mm in the horizontaldirection and approximately +/−0 mm in the vertical direction. Thus, theabove-described construction helps mate the connectors in the even orslight misalignments. Moreover, because this arrangement facilitatesalignment in all directions normal to the axis of the dowel pins 36,manufacturing tolerances can be somewhat relaxed such that themanufacturing costs can be greatly decreased.

[0039] The illustrated flexible circuit assembly also comprises a powerconnector clamp 70. The power connector clamp 70 comprises a front 72and a back 74. The front 72 and the back 74 preferably are made ofinjection molded plastic. Similar to the dock clamp 50, the front 72 andthe back 74 desirably snap-fit together. When snapped together over thehard drive power connector 46 in the illustrated arrangement, the powerconnector clamp 70 provides strain relief as well as gripping surfacesfor the assembly-person to hold onto during installation and removal.

[0040] In addition, the illustrated flexible circuit assembly comprisesa signal connector clamp 76. The signal connector clamp 76 comprises afront 78 and a back 80 that preferably are manufactured by injectionmolding of plastic. The front 78 and the back 80 desirably snap fittogether to substantially encase the hard drive signal connector 48 toprovide stain relief and a gripping surface in much the same manner asthe power connector clamp 70.

[0041] The carrier assembly 28 generally comprises a box 82 into which ahardware component 84 (e.g., an ATA or other hard drive) can be mountedfor installation into the cabinet 10. The hardware component 84 can be ahard drive, a 3.5″ disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, a solidstate storage drive, or another type of peripheral device. As isgenerally known to those of ordinary skill in the art, a pair of rails86 preferably is assembled to the box 82. One of the rails 86 desirablyis mounted to one side of the box 82 while a second of the rails 86desirably is mounted to an opposite side of the box 82. Twocorresponding rails 88 preferably are attached to the cabinet 10 or anassociated chassis. The rails 86, 88 preferably are injection moldedplastic parts that are made from an Acetal material or other lubriciouscomponent such that friction between the mating rails 86, 88 can bedecreased. Moreover, in particularly advantageous arrangements, the twomating rails 86, 88 are closely aligned to reduce relative movementbetween the cabinet 10 and the box 82. This close alignment increasesthe ability of the system to withstand shock and vibration.

[0042] The hardware component 84, which can be an ATA hard drive or anyother suitable peripheral device, is mounted to the carrier box 82 ofthe carrier assembly 28 by suitable fastening arrangements. In theillustrated arrangement, four screws 90 extend through apertures 92 inthe carrier box 82 and thread into receiving holes 94 on the hardwarecomponent 84 that are standard in the industry. The screws 90 preferablyextend into the bottom receiving holes 94 on the hard drive 84 becausethis mounting arrangement eases assembly and reduces movement of thehard drive 84 resulting from shock and vibration experienced by thesystem in general and the carrier assembly 28 specifically. Moreover,the mounting position of the hardware component within the carrierassembly preferably does not substantially vary regardless of the designof the selected hardware component. In other words, arrangements made inaccordance with certain aspects of the present invention preferably canaccommodate hardware components having differing connector locationswithout varying the mounting location of the hardware components withinthe carrier assembly. This results in a decreased overall dimension tothe carrier, the chassis and the unit as a whole. As described above,the flexible circuit assembly can accommodate hardware components havingvarious connector locations, which results in an added degree offlexible that is associated with certain features of the presentinvention.

[0043] The carrier box 82 in the illustrated arrangement features abottom and three side walls. Accordingly, the front shield issubstantially open. In the illustrated arrangement, a front shield 96 isprovided. The front shield 96 of the carrier box 82 preferably isperforated or has other structures that accommodate the cooling airflowA. For instance, the front shield 96 also can comprise a number of airflow apertures to increase air flow through the carrier across themounted drive or other hardware component 84. This arrangementadvantageously directs the cooling airflow across the mounted hardwarecomponent 84.

[0044] The front shield 96 also preferably comprises a number of springfingers 98 on each side that contact inner or outer surfaces (not shown)of the cabinet 10 or an associated chassis. In the illustratedarrangement, the spring fingers 98 frictionally engage the inner surfaceof the chassis to better secure the box 84 within the cabinet 10. Thisarrangement advantageously provides electromagnetic interferencecontainment and electrostatic discharge protection by further improvingthe grounding connection between the mounted hardware component 84 andthe chassis or the cabinet 10.

[0045] The illustrated front shield 96 also includes a top opening 99.The top opening 99 preferably is formed by splitting a portion of thefront shield 96 and bending two separated portions outward. This forms apair of tabs that define the top opening 99 of the front shield 96. Inaddition, the front shield 96 can be attached to the carrier assembly inany suitable manner. For instance, the front shield 96 can be riveted,fastened, welded, brazed or otherwise secured to the carrier assembly28.

[0046] A carrier face 100 is provided that provides anaesthetically-pleasing appearance to the carrier assembly 28 whencombined with the cabinet 10. Preferably, the carrier face 100 ismanufactured by injection molding plastic. The carrier face 100 includesa hole 101 (FIG. 1) of any desired shape and dimension. Preferably, thehole 101 accommodates an adequate flow of air through the carrierassembly 28 and the chassis. The hole 101 also preferably serves as afinger access to a release hook 102 provided within the carrier face 100and to allow the carrier face 100 to act as a handle that actuates a camlock-down and release feature, which will be described.

[0047] As will be understood, the hook 102 is sized and configured toextend rearward through the opening 99 formed in the front shield 96.Moreover, a portion of the hook 102 catches on an inner surface of thefront shield 96 adjacent the opening 99. Thus, with the hook 102 engagedon the inner surface of the illustrated front shield 96, or any othersuitable surface that is connected to the carrier assembly 28, thecabinet 10 or the chassis, the carrier face 100 can be secured in aclosed position.

[0048] The carrier face 100 preferably is pivotally attached to thecarrier assembly 28. In the illustrated arrangement, the carrier face100 and the carrier assembly 28 are connected with a dowel pin (notshown) and a carrier pivot 104. The carrier pivot 104 can be attached tothe carrier assembly 28 in any suitable manner. In the illustratedarrangement, the carrier pivot is attached using threaded fasteners. Ofcourse, other mounting arrangements, such as rivets, welds, snaps, pins,clips, hooks and the like.

[0049] The carrier face 100 also includes a cam surface 106 on arearward-facing surface. In the illustrated arrangement, a pair of camsurfaces 106 is used and the carrier box 82 is notched to provideoperating clearance for the cam surfaces 106. The cam surface 106 worksin conjunction with the chassis or a surface 107 of the cabinet 10 toaid in smooth insertion and extraction of the carrier assembly 28. Thecombination reduces the likelihood that the carrier assembly 28 (and anycomponent disposed with the carrier or attached to the carrier) will besubstantially jarred or shocked during insertion or removal. As thecarrier assembly 28 is inserted into the drive cage defined within thecabinet 10, the final travel of the carrier assembly 28 is accomplishedby pivoting the carrier face 100 to “pull” the carrier assembly 28further into the drive cage using the cam surfaces 106. By using theface to pull the carrier assembly the final engagement distance, themating connectors on the base board and on the disk drive assemblyengage in a controlled and calculated manner. Likewise, to remove acarrier assembly 28, the carrier face 100 is pivoted so that the camsurfaces 106 “push” the carrier assembly 28 outward for a shortdistance. This prevent careless assembly or maintenance workers fromdamaging the hardware components 84 or the docking connectors by pushingthe carrier assembly 28 in too fast, or by removing the carrier assemblytoo rapidly. For instance, pulling a disk drive out too fast while thedisk is spinning could result in damage to the read/write heads or tothe magnetic media.

[0050] A carrier face biasing member 108 advantageously is disposed tohold the carrier face 100 in a first position prior to insertion of thecarrier assembly 28 into the cabinet 10. In the illustrated arrangement,the biasing member 108 is a leaf spring. Of course, it is contemplatedthat any of a number of types of biasing members, such as compressionsprings, torsion springs, flexible membranes, and the like, can be used.The carrier face 100 moves to a second position following insertion ofthe carrier assembly 28 into the cabinet 28. With the carrier assembly28 installed within the cabinet 10, the illustrated carrier face 100 canbe moved, or is urged by a corresponding structure on the cabinet 10, toa closed position. In a closed position, the carrier face 100 isgenerally flush with the cabinet opening into which the carrier assembly28 is inserted. With the carrier face 100 in the closed position, theintegral hook 102 locks the carrier face 100 in its closed position andthe cam surfaces 106 secure the carrier assembly 28 in the cabinet 28 bylatching over the dowel pin secured in the carrier pivot 104.Importantly, in some applications, as the carrier face 100 is openedfrom the closed position, the carrier hook 100 presses against acounteracting surface and releases the dowel pin to urge the carrierassembly 28 outward from the cabinet 28 for extraction from the cabinet28 and chassis.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described in terms of acertain embodiment, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art also are within the scope of this invention. Thus,various changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, not all of the features,aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pluggable drive carrier for drives, the carriercomprising a flex circuit with single-sided mounting of a plurality ofconnectors, said plurality of connectors comprising a blind connectorand a second connector, the blind connector being adapted to couple witha right angle docking connector attached to a base board, said flexcircuit being folded such that said second connector extends in a firstdirection and said blind connector extends in a second direction that isopposite of said first direction.
 2. The pluggable drive carrier as inclaim 1, wherein said plurality of connectors further comprises a drivepower connector and said second connector is a drive logic connector. 3.The pluggable drive carrier as in claim 1, wherein the carrier isconfigured to carry an ATA drive.
 4. The pluggable drive carrier as inclaim 1, wherein the carrier is configured to carry a SCSI drive.
 5. Thepluggable driver carrier as in claim 1, wherein the carrier forms areceptacle for any of a plurality of drives having the same connectorconfigurations but different physical locations of the connector.
 6. Thepluggable driver carrier as in claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises afront shield with air passages and a front face plate that is pivotablyconnected to said carrier.
 7. The pluggable driver carrier as in claim6, wherein said front face plate includes a cam member and a hook, saidhook being selectively engageable with said front shield to secure saidfront face plate in a closed position.
 8. The pluggable driver carrieras in claim 6, wherein said front shield comprises at least one springfinger that is adapted to engage an electrically grounded surface. 9.The pluggable driver carrier as in claim 1, wherein said flex circuitcomprises a dock clamp that is connected to said carrier.
 10. Thepluggable driver carrier as in claim 9, wherein said flex circuit iscapable of movement relative to said carrier.
 11. A computer systemcomprising a circuit board and a first connector mounted to said circuitboard, a drive secured to a carrier and having a drive connectordisposed on a surface, said circuit board extending in a directiongenerally normal to said surface, said carrier comprising a flexiblecircuit, said flexible circuit comprising a mating connector and ablind-plug, said mating connector being adapted to connect to said driveconnector and said blind-plug being adapted to couple to said firstconnector.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said drive comprises alogic connector and a power connector.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein said blind-plug is capable of movement relative to said carrier.14. The system of claim 13 further comprising an alignment mechanismbeing secured to said circuit board.
 15. The system of claim 14, whereinsaid alignment mechanism substantially encases said first connector. 16.The system of claim 14, wherein said alignment mechanism comprises analignment pin.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said alignmentmechanism comprises an additional alignment pin.
 18. The system of claim16, wherein said alignment pin is tapered with a smaller end extendingaway from an end secured to said circuit board.
 19. An electronic systemcomprising an enclosure, a base board positioned within said enclosure,said base board comprising a docking connector fixed to a surface ofsaid base board, a drive carrier being adapted for insertion into saidenclosure along a first axis, a drive being disposed within said drivecarrier, said drive having a connector disposed along a first surface,said first axis extending in a direction generally parallel to said baseboard and a flexible circuit extending between said connector of saiddrive and said docking connector of said base board.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein said surface of said base board to which said dockingconnector is fixed extends parallel to said first axis.
 21. The systemof claim 19 further comprising an alignment mechanism disposed alongsaid base board.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein said alignmentmechanism comprises at least one alignment pin.
 23. The system of claim22, wherein said at least one alignment pin tapers.
 24. The system ofclaim 22, wherein said at least one pin is adapted to mate with anaperture connected to said drive carrier.
 25. The system of claim 24,wherein said aperture can move relative to said drive carrier.
 26. Thesystem of claim 19 further comprising a second drive carrier beingadapted or insertion into said enclosure along a second axis that isparallel to said first axis, said base board comprising a second dockingconnector to which a flexible circuit of said second drive carrier canbe connected.
 27. A pluggable drive carrier comprising a carrier bodyadapted to receive a drive and having an outside surface, a blind plugconnector mounted to said outside surface, a flexible circuit connectedto said outside surface and being electrically coupled to said blindplug connector, a second connector being secured to said flexiblecircuit and said second connector being capable of being disposed withinsaid carrier body.
 28. The carrier of claim 27, wherein said secondconnector comprises a logic connector and a power connector.
 29. Thecarrier of claim 27, wherein said second connector and said blind plugconnector extend outward from a single side of said flexible circuit.30. The carrier of claim 27, wherein said blind plug connector iscapable of movement relative to said carrier.
 31. An electronic systemcomprising an enclosure having an opening, an insertion passage beingdefined within said enclosure and having one end terminating at saidopening, said insertion passage defining an insertion axis, a carriercapable of insertion into said opening along said insertion passage, abase board disposed within said enclosure, a connector mounted to saidbase board, a cooperating blind connector disposed on said carrier, andsaid baseboard positioned parallel to said insertion axis.
 32. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein an alignment mechanism is disposed withinsaid enclosure and said alignment mechanism is cooperable with acorresponding structure of said carrier.
 33. The system of claim 32,wherein said alignment mechanism comprises a pin and said correspondingstructure of said carrier comprises an opening.
 34. The system of claim33, wherein at least one of said pin and said opening is tapered.